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The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum located in Agra, India, built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
The Taj Mahal (also "the Taj") is considered the finest example of Mughal architecture, a style that combines elements from Persian, Indian, and Islamic architectural styles. In 1983, the Taj Mahal became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was cited as "the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage."
While the white domed marble mausoleum is its most familiar component, the Taj Mahal is actually an integrated complex of structures. Building began around 1632 and was completed around 1653, and employed thousands of artisans and craftsmen. The construction of the Taj Mahal was entrusted to a board of architects under imperial supervision including Abd ul-Karim Ma'mur Khan, Makramat Khan, and Ustad Ahmad Lahauri.Lahauri is generally considered to be the principal designer.
Emperor Shah Jahan himself described the Taj in these words:
Should guilty seek asylum here,
Like one pardoned, he becomes free from sin.
Should a sinner make his way to this mansion,
All his past sins are to be washed away.
The sight of this mansion creates sorrowing sighs;
And the sun and the moon shed tears from their eyes.
In this world this edifice has been made;
To display thereby the creator's glory.
The Garden in Taj Mahal:
The complex is set in and around a large charbagh (a formal Mughal garden devided into four parts). The garden has sunken parterres or flowerbeds, water courses, and pools that reflect the Taj Mahal. Each of the four quarters of the garden is divided into 16 flowerbeds by raised pathways. There is a raised marble water tank at the centre of the garden where reflection of Taj Mahal is visible in the tank. Early accounts of the garden describe its profusion of the vegetation, including roses, daffodils, and fruit trees in abundance. As the Mughal Empire declined, the tending of the garden declined as well. When the British took over the management of the Taj Mahal, they changed the landscaping. They made it to resemble the formal lawns of Landon. After they left, the lawns have not been changed.
Taj Mahal Attractions
The city of Agra, being the capital of Mughal Empire for a long time, was witness to construction of numerous buildings on an elaborate scale. Infact, apart from the Taj Mahal, Agra boasts of a number of monuments that are quite magnificent. Taj Mahal attractions include famous places near the monument that are worth visiting. Given below is further information on the popular attractions near Taj Mahal at Agra
Agra Fort
One of the famous tourist places near Taj Mahal, India, is the Agra Fort. Situated near Taj Mahal, it was constructed by the Emperor Akbar in the year 1565. However, numerous additions were carried on in this fort, till the time of Shah Jahan. A beautiful example of Mughal architecture, Agra Fort is made up entirely of red sandstone and a number of magnificent buildings inside its complex.
Akbar's Tomb
The tomb of Akbar is situated at Sikandra, four km to the northeast of Agra. The architectural style of this tomb is quite different from almost all the other tombs of the Mughals. Infact, it is a kind of fusion of numerous different styles of architecture.
Fatehpur Sikri
The deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri is situated near Agra. Constructed by Mughal emperor Akbar, it was completed in the year 1584. A one of its kind city, it counted amongst the most majestic cities of the Mughal Empire. It is difficult to explain more about this architectural marvel. You will have to explore Fatehpur Sikri yourself to appreciate it truly.
Itmad-ud-Daulah Tomb
Noor Jahan, the wife of Jehangir, got the Itmad-ud-Daulah's tomb constructed in between 1622 and 1628 AD. It was constructed in the memory of her father Ghiyas-ud-Din Beg. The tomb, an opulent structure, is considered to be an antecedent of the Taj Mahal because of its intricate carvings and inlay work.
Vrindavan
The holy city of Vrindavan, situated near Agra, is one of the most revered pilgrimages in India. The city is very closely associated with Lord Krishna and is said to house as many as 4,000 temples, dedicated to him.
Taj Mahal Facts
- Year of Construction: 1631
- Completed In: 1653
- Time Taken: 22 years
- Built By: Shah Jahan
- Dedicated to: Mumtaz Mahal (Arjumand Bano Begum), the wife of Shah Jahan
- Location: Agra (Uttar Pradesh)
- Building Type: Islamic tomb
- Architecture: Islamic
- Cost of Construction: 32 crore rupees
- Number of workers: 20,000
- Highlights: One of the Seven Wonders of the World
A UNESCO World Heritage site:
Timings: 6:00 am to 7:30 pm (Friday closed)
Fee: Rs 970 (Foreigners)
Rs 20 (Indians, during daytime)
Rs 110 (Indians, during sunrise and sunset)
In the following lines, we have mentioned some more Taj Mahal trivia:
- Before his accession to the throne, Shah Jahan was popularly known as Prince Khurram.
- Shah Jahan fell in love with the beautiful Arjumand Bano Begum and married her, making her his third wife.
- Arjumand Bano Begum christened by Shah Jahan as Mumtaz Mahal, meaning the "chosen one".
- Shah Jahan lost Mumtaz Mahal when she got giving birth to their 14h child.
- It is believed that in her last breath Mumtaz secured a promise from Shah Jahan that he would construct the most beautiful monument in the her memory.
- For the transportation of the construction materials, more than 1,000 elephants were made use of.
- As many as 28 different varieties of semi-precious and precious stones were used to adorn the Taj with exquisite inlay work.
Taj Mahal Night Tour:
Many poetic illustrations have often been made around the Taj Mahal at moonlit nights. However, the thought of spending a night at Taj Mahal is merely a dream. This is because the monument is closed for public viewing at night and Taj Mahal night tour is not allowed. Some time back, Supreme Court of India did allow the opening of Taj Mahal at night, at full moon nights in specific months. However, this practice has now been discontinued. But, even though you cannot visit the monument at night, we can tell you "how to spend a night at Taj"…
Mumtaz Mahal:
Mumtaz Mahal was the third wife of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. It was in her memory that he built the magnificent monument of love and romance, known as the "Taj Mahal". Mumtaz Mahal, a Muslim Persian Princess, was originally known as Arjumand Banu Begum. So enthralling was her beauty that Shah Jahan (then Prince Khurram) fell in love with her at the first sight. Their marriage was solemnized five years later and from then on, started one of the most popular love stories of the world. Although she was the third wife of Shah Jahan, but at the same time, she was also his favorite. He even bestowed her with the name Mumtaz Mahal and the highest honor of the land - the royal seal, Mehr Uzaz.
Major Catch:
- Savour and Petha and a famous sweet dish of Agra.
- A Tourist can shop for leather, rugs and carpets for which Agra is a delight.
- Don't forget to carry a small replica of Taj Mahal in white marble.
- Get yourself photographed with the Taj as backdrop.
- Behold the magic of Taj Mahotsava, held in the month of February.
Indian Actress Aishwarya rai at Taj Mahal
